Srinagar: The Bhartiya Janta Party Friday said that any change of guard in state would be only accepted after the successful completion of one year of coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.

 The party was reacting to the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s statement that his daughter and PDP president Mahbooba Mufti is the most deserving candidate to replace him as Chief Minister of state.  

“State BJP unit has no role in this regard. When the coalition was formed, deliberations regarding that happened in New Delhi. Now if change of guard takes place, BJP’s central leadership will have to take a call,” the Minister for PHE Sukhnanden told KNS.

He said his party has not received any official communication from PDP in this regard. “We hear such reports from media. There is no communication at the official level,” he said, adding that if a reshuffle in the cabinet or the change of guard happens, it has to take place after the completion of one year of BJP-PDP government. He also dismissed the reports that BJP is seeking the two crucial portfolios like Finance and R&B in case Mahbooba is becoming Chief Minister of state.

“These are rumours and devoid of any factuality,” he added.   

Pertinently, Mufti today in a press conference admitted that his daughter is likely to be elevated as state’s Chief Minister since she is highly connected to party workers and well acquainted with party affairs.  

The PDP is also facing the internal revolt for Mahbooba’s nomination as Chief Minister from its most senior leaders Muzaffer Hussain Baig and Tariq Hamid Karra.